Rik Mayall, 'Drop Dead Fred' actor, dies suddenly at London home

"The Young Ones" and "Drop Dead Fred" actor Rik Mayall has died at age 56, his management team told the BBC.

The British comedian played the obnoxious, poetry-writing anarchist Rick in "The Young Ones" with friend Adrian Edmondson before the pair went on to star in their sitcom "Bottom." Mayall also appeared in British shows "Blackadder" and "The New Statesman."

He died at his London home. Police told the BBC his death wasn't considered suspicious.

Authorities said they were called to reports of a sudden death of a man in his 50s at 1:19 BST on Monday, in Barnes in South West London. Mayall was married and had three children.

This is a May 31 2000 file photo of British comedian and actor Rik Mayall with his wife Barbara. (AP Photo/Peter Jordan/PA, File)

Mayall -- who was seriously injured in a 1998 quad vehicle accident that left him in a coma for several days -- got his break during the 1980s at The Comic Strip Club, performing with Adrian Edmondson as 20th Century Coyote, which led to cult television hit "The Comic Strip Presents."

He co-wrote "The Young Ones" with Lise Mayer and Ben Elton, which ran for 12 episodes between 1982 and 1985, and was later shown on the United States on MTV.

In "Drop Dead Fred," a 1991 cult favorite, Mayall played the title character, a childhood imaginary friend who reappears in the life of Phoebe Cates' character.

Mayall's film roles also included "Guest House Paradiso."

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Mayall's management company, Brunskill, said "We are deeply saddened to announce the death of Rik Mayall who passed away this morning. We will be issuing a further statement in the fullness of time."